Rotary steam-engine



(No Model.)

- J. E. GUENTHER.

ROTARY STEAM ENGINE.

No. 591,130. Patented oct. 5, 1897.

MW @QW A fr0/Mfrs V we nofws P'Ergns co, Pnuommn. wAsmNoToN u c4 ings for the main shaft; an eccentric piston- UNITED STATES i PATENT @Erica JOI-IN E. GUENIHER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

ROTARY STEAM-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. V591,130, dated October 5, 18971 Application iiledvDecember 14, 1896 To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN E. GUENTHER, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen, in the State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Steam-Engines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,which form part of this specification. l

My invention relates to improvements in rotary steam-engines.

The object of my inventionis to provide a cheap, simple, and eflicient rotary-piston engine adapted to be operated by anyproper motive fluid under pressure and to conserve more power than other motors of its class, having an improved construction and arrangement of rotary working pistons, an improved rocking or oscillating cut-off valve, and improved means for utilizing a portion of the exhauststeam. v

The novel features of my invention consist in my improved rotary pistons, improved oscillating cut-off valve and means for operating the same, and my improved means for utilizing a portion of the exhaust-steam.

My invention consists of an annular cylinder having induction and eduction steam orifices and conduits and eccentric 'lateral openwheel concentrically iixed upon the main shaft, which is rotatably mounted in said openings; a pair of spring-pressed diametric pistons radially slidable in diametric guidewaysin said wheel and against which the steampressure is exerted circumferentially, causing rotation thereof, and having semicircular bearing blocks upon their working faces adapted to engage the inner surface of said cylinder throughout their revolution; an os-` cillating or rocking cut-off valve fixed upon a rocking counter-shaft in -said cylinder; a geared and pivotal connection between the main and rock shafts, and an improved means for utilizing a portion of the exhaust-steam.

Similar reference-numerals indicate corre-V sponding parts throughout the several views,

in which-h Serial No. 615,571. (No model.)

Figure 1 is a view, partly in vertical secshown in vertical centralsection on the line n n, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of the pistonwheel,showin g the radial diametric guideways for the slidable pistons. Fig. 5 is an inner edge view of Fig. 4 in section on the line m m, showing the recessed bearing for the ends of the pistons springs.

The annular cylinder 1, of any proper dimensions, has proper heads 2, which may be cast integral with the bed-piece, as seen in Fig. 1, and which have opposite eccentric openings for the main shaft 12, which shaft is also revolubly mounted in suitable bearings in the supporting-standards 13, which are preferably integral with the bed-piece. The bearings for the said main shaft in the said openings in the cylinder 1 are formed of the Babbitt-metal collars 8, the stuffing-boxes 9, the loose metal collars 10, having an annu'- lar iiange on the outer end thereof, as shown, and the screw-threaded collars 11, adaptedto fit over said collars 10, and the annular ange surrounding the shaft-openings by a screwthreaded connection and thereby secure the said collars in position.

The cylinder l'has an upwardly-tapering extension terminated by a spherical steambox 19, having a steam compartment or chamber 20, provided with the vertical inductionorifice 20 and the exhaust-port 25, leading into the lateral exhaust-outlet 2l. The said box 19 is closed by a centrally-apertured head 29, having an annular ange adapted to be bolted to a coincident annular iiange on said box. In the opening in said head 29 and in a corresponding diametric opening in said box the rock-shaft 27 is rotatably mounted, `the said opening being made steam-tight by' proper stuffing-boxes 28.

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On the outer extended end of the shaft 27 is fixed the rigid crank 49, Figs. 1 and 3, having a wrist-pin 27', Von which the upper end of the pitman 48 is pivoted. At a proper point on the said shaft 12 the gear-wheel 14 is rigidly fixed and is adapted for an actuating engagement with the pinion 14", which is fixed on the short counter shaft 61, rotatably mounted in the sleeve or bearing 2', integral with its adjacent cylinder-head 2. The eccentric 46 is also rigidly fixed on the shaft 61, adjacent to the said pinion 14'. The arm 47, arranged in vertical alincment with said eccentric, has its lower endV adapted for an actuating engagement with the perimeter of said eccentric and has its upper end provided with a slotted head 47', in which the handle 60 is loosely mounted and in which it is adapted for longitudinal adj ustmentfor the purpose of reversing the engine. The revolution of the rsaid eccentric 46v thus imp-arts tov said arm 47 a, vertical reciprocating movement-7 v which by its pivotal connection with the pitkeyed or fixed on the main shaft 12.

man 43 and the crank 49- imparts tothe said rock-shaft 27 and therigid cut-oft valve th ereon a rocking or oscillatory movement, hereinafter more fully described.

lin the annular working chamber 3- the eccentric piston-Wheel, having. a hub 5 and an integral perimeter divided into two equal partsuor se'ctionsb y the-diametric radial guideways 4', is adapted for rotation by being In the said guideways 4' the radially-slidable pistons 16 are mounted andy have their inner ends secu-red toy the opposite sides .of said springs 50,. elliptical in form and of sufficient strength to normally forceth-e said pistons outwardly to the limit of their 4radial extension. 1l. c., of itshu-b 5 and itsperimeter 4-i-sequal to that oi' the Working cham-ber 3. The pistons l6- are also ofi the:- same width- All leakage ot steam at the sides of said wheel or said pistons is prevented by the tightly-fitting,

steam-packingE plate or disk 7,rv arranged adjacent to one of the said cylinder-heads, and which can be tightened at pleasure by a plurality of screws 301,. which pierce the said cylinder-head and enter slightly the said plate and are mounted in a proper stuffing-box 30",. Fig. 1..

ways 4' are provided upon opposite sides of ment with said pis-tonsby a yielding pressure against theinn-er ends thereof, whereby the said pistons are normally forcedoutwardly under the tension of saidsprings. The Opf-- positesidies of said guideways, and: near the' outer end thereof, are provided with lateral notches 72,. Fig. 4, adapted to secure and. contain proper steam packing. The outer end of the said pistons-is provided with a lon-A The opposite sides of the-said guidegitudinal concave recess adaptedto receive and contain the adjacent convex face of the steel bearing-blocks 17, whose length is equal to the Width of the said pistons, and whose outer slightly convex face bears against the perimeter of the working chamber 3. The convex surface of the said bearing-blocks 17 is thus maintained in constant coincidence with the working tace of the pistons throughout their revolution, forming a steam-tight joint. The said vertical extension of the cylinder 1 is preferably provided with a lateral opening 22, having no function other than `reducing the weight and material thereof.

y with the bottom of said chamber intermediate said steam-portsv 54 and 59,l whereby the said steam-space 53 will at all times be in direct communication with either the exhaustoutlet 21 or the steam-supply chamber 2Ov by means of the said steam-conduits 51 and 52. At or near the middle of its length the said i rock-shaft 27 is reduced in size and is firmly embraced by the longitudinally-slotted top of :the cut-oft valve 23,. Fig. 2. f of the said slot is arranged aspring 26, adapted tol bear againsta coincident undercut por- I tion of said shaft for the purpose of holding the said valve firmly upon its concave seat 2 upon the `bottom of said chamber 20I throughout its rocking movements. The width of the said piston-wheel- .of the exhaust-steam consists of a separate box 64, Figs. 1 and 2,.detachabrly mounted to one cylinder-head 2 at or near' the base' thereot'having steam-passages 54' and 59 adapted i to register with the said ports' 54 and 59, respectively, and having a valved connection with the steam-passages 56 andk 66` by means In the bottom My improved means for utilizing a portion of the respective check-valves 55 and 67 and G5 and 5S. The said steam-passages 56 and IOO IIO

G6l are provided at their intersectionwith a two-way check-valve 57?,4 which is employed in a well-understood man-ner when the engine is reversed. By this means that portion of the exhaust-steam remaining below thelower end of the steam-conduit 52 when the same is shut ott therefrom by the revolving piston-s will be forced outwardly through the port 54 and will reenter the working chamber through the port 59 by means of the said valved passages 54', 56', and 59'. To the annular flange 19', on the top ot the said steambox l9f,.is rigidly bolted the hollow casting 3l, havin-g an annular ii'ange upon its base coincident-With the said iiang'eA 19' and provided with a horizon-tal steam-chamber 68, whose outletport is controlled by the adjustable feed-Valve 34. The said chamber 68 has an outlet vertical steam-passage registering with the said inlet-port 20 and is controlled by the puppet-valve 32. The said casting 3l has a lateral steam-opening 33 leading to the.

boiler, is arranged at right angles to the chamber 68, and is connected therewith by means of said valve 34.

Upon alaterally-projecting flange 69 the upright casting 43 is rigidly bolted, having a vertical sleeve 70, in which the vertical shaft 39' for the centrifugal governor 39 is loosely mounted, and carries upon its lower end the bevel gear-wheel 45. The said casting 43 also has an integral horizontal sleeve 43', in which the shaft 42 is rotatively mounted, carryin g upon its inner end the rigid bevel gearwheel 44 in mesh with the said wheel 45 and carrying upon its outer extended end the fixed pulley 41, adapted to be connected with and driven by a fixed pulley 15 on the main shaft 12, in vertical alinement therewith, by the belt 40. In the top of the said casting 31 is iixed the upright bracket 36, in the slotted top of which is pivotally fulcrumed the horizontal lever 35, to the inner end of which is pivoted the vertical stem for the said valve 32, and to the outer end of which is pivoted the lower end of the lever-arm 37, Whose upper end is pivoted. to the outer end of the horizontal lever 38. The inner end of said lever is secured to the governor 39 and is slidable on said shaft 39', whereby the said steam-supply valve is regulated by the said governor in the manner hereinafter more fully described.

The operation of my invention thus described is obvious and, briefly stated, is as follows: The feed or supply valve 34 being set by the operator to admit the desired amount of steam from the boiler-pipe through the opening 33, the steam enters the said chamber 68 through the valve 32 and the port 20 into the steam-chamber 20, and thence into the working chamber 3 through the steamchannel 51; and exerts a circumferential pressure on the adjacent piston 16, causing rotation of the eccentric pistonwheel in which it is mounted, and consequently of the main shaft 12, on which said Vwheel is fixed. The abutment is formed by the contact of the perimeter of the piston-wheel with the inside of the cylinder at its lower portion, Fig. 2. The expansive force or tension of the said elliptical springs 50 keeps the radially-slidable pistons forced outwardly `with the bearingblocks of their working faces in contact or yielding engagement with the inner face of the cylinder. As the pistons are diametri@ and the piston wheel is eccentrically arranged, whereby a considerable crescentshaped steam-space 53 is left in the upper part of the working chamber, itis obvious that one or the other of the said pistons will at all times be under steam-pressure in said space 53,producin g continuous rotation-thereof. It will be seen in Fig. 2 that almost instantly after the piston 16 passes the lower end of the steam-channel 51, forming the induction-port to the working chamber, the other piston 16 will have passed or uncovered the lower end of the steam-channel 52, forming the exhaust-port therefor, thereby permitting the escape of the exhaust-steam in the path of said piston 16, the said pistons presumably rotating to the right in Fig. 2,

while at the same time a constantly-increasing supply of live steam is simultaneously admitted' to the rear of said piston 16 for driving the same. When the piston 16 has passed or uncovered the said exhaust-port, it will obviously drive before it all the remaining exhaust-steam and force it out of the port 54 Y through said passages 54', 56, and 59 and cause it to reenter the working chamber through the said port 59, thereby utilizing a large amount of exhaust-steam. As before shown, the revolution of said shaft 12 produces a corresponding rocking or oscillation of the rock-shaft 27 through its geared conupper end of the steam-channel 52 by causing it-to register with the opening 24, leading to the exhaust-outlet 21. The rocking of said valve 23 to the left will of course close the upper end of both of said steam-channels.

When it is desired to'reverse the engine, the operator adjusts the lower end of the piston 48 to the opposite end of the elongated slot in the head of said lever 47 by means of the handle 60, after which the rocking of the cut-o valve to the left will so uncover `the said steamchannels 51 and 52 as to place the former in communication with the exhaustport 24 and the latter in communication with the steam-chamber 20, thereby reversing the direction of the rotation of the working vpistons and of the main shaft 12. The direction taken by the utilized exhaust-steam through the box 64 is also reversed.

Having thus described my invention and the operation of the same, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a rotary engine, the combination of the main shaft 12; the gear-wheel 14 fixed thereon; the counter-shaft 61 carrying the fixed -meshing gear-wheel 14 and the eccen tric 46; the lever-arm 47 slotted as described; the pitman 48 pivotally connecting the said lever-arm with the crank 49; `the crank 49 fixed on the rock-shaft 27; the rock-shaft 27 rotatably mounted in proper steam-tight bearings in the top of the cylinder as shown; and

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the cut-off valve 23 fixed on said rock-shaft as described, and having an expansion-spring arranged therein to secure the said valve upon its seat, and adapted to regulate the supply and exhaust of motive iuid to the Working chamber of said cylinder, all substantially as described.

2. In a rotaryengine a cylinder 1 having a chambered Vertical extension provided with an induction-port, a steam-chamber for the cut-off Valve, an exhaust-outlet, and steameonduits arranged as shown connecting the said steam-chamber With the Working chamber; a piston-Wheel concentrically fixed on the main shaft and eccentrically arranged in said Working chamber, provided With diametric guideWays for the pistons, and adapted to form an abutment by the contact of its perimeter With the inside of the cylinder; a pair of rotatable spring-pressed diametric pistons radially slidable in said guideways, and against which the motive pressure is exerted circumferentially in a crescen t-shaped steamspace in the upper portion of the Working chamber; and a pair of elliptical springs arranged in said Wheel as described, and having their sides secured to the inner end of said pistons and adapted to normally force the said lWorking pistons outwardly, in combination With the main shaft 12; the gear- Wheel 14 xed thereon; the counter-shaft 6l carrying the meshing gear-Wheel 14 and the eccentric 46; the lever-arm 47 slotted as described; the, pitman 48 pivotally connecting the said lever-arm with the crank 49 5 the crank 49 fixed on the rock-shaft 27 the rockshaft 27 rotatably mounted in proper steamtight bearings in the top of the cylinder as shown; and the cut-off Valve 23 fixed on said rock-shaft as described, and having an expansion-spring arranged therein to secure the said Valve upon its seat, and adapted to regulate the supply and exhaust of motive fluid to the Working chamber, all substantially as described.

Signed by me, at Fort Wayne, Allen county, State of Indiana, this 8th day of December, A. D. 1896. Y

JOHN E. GUENTHER.

Witnesses:

FRANK MILLER, 113A L. Ross-LEWIN. 

